Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 01:33:36 -0400
From: carl5de@netscape.net
Subject: HIGH PLAINS DOCTOR - 11
HIGH PLAINS DOCTOR - 11
Copyright 2005 by Carl Mason and Ed Collins
All rights reserved. Other than downloading one copy for strictly personal
enjoyment, no part of this story may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, except for reviews, without
the written permission of the authors. However based on real events and
places, "High Plains Doctor" is strictly fictional. Any resemblance to
actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely
coincidental. As in real life, however, the sexual themes unfold
gradually. If you would like to read other Mason-Collins stories, you
might turn to "Out of the Rubble," "Castle Margarethen," and "The Priest
and the Pauper" which are archived in Nifty's "Historical" section.
Comments on the story are appreciated and may be addressed to the authors
at carl5de@netscape.net
This story contains descriptions of sexual contact between males, both
adults and teenagers. As such, it is homoerotic fiction designed for the
personal enjoyment of legal, hopefully mature, adults. If you are not of
legal age to read such material, if those in power and/or those whom you
trust treat it as illegal, or if it would create unresolvable moral
dilemmas in your life, please leave. Finally, remember that maturity
generally demands that anything other than safe sex is sheer insanity!
CHAPTER 11
(Revisiting Chapter 10)
That night in bed, Tyler cuddled with Ben, laughing a bit and saying, "Your
younger son is quite special. I have to admit that he's easy to love.
Besides," he giggled, " he says that his dad tells him that love is like a
muscle. Exercise it and it grows." "Both Jon and Kelly are growing into
fine human beings," Ben said seriously. "I'll love them till the day I die
- as I love you - but enough of this philosophizing! Turn over and let's
get some exercise!" . (Continuing Our Story - Grizzly Bears and Tyler
Too!)
In the summer of 1874, a fully recovered Tyler Coleman persuaded his
household to allow him to guide them on a camping trip into the Grand
Tetons, one of the premier mountain areas of North America, let alone of
his native Wyoming. One might guess that Jon and Kelly took little
persuasion. When Whitey heard about the trip and was invited, he traded
away half his freedom during the year following in order to be on leave
from late July through the middle of August. Even Ben was uniformly
enthusiastic. Here was his chance FINALLY to see the Rocky Mountains!
Tyler wasn't a "mountain man" - though had he continued on his earlier
path, he might well have developed into one. Glorying in the out of doors
and in his youthful strength, happy to avoid the pressures (and
temptations) of "civilization," he and his friends had hiked all over the
Grand Tetons as well as the Yellowstone area immediately to the north.
Only two years before, President Grant had designated the latter as our
first National Park. As a matter of fact, Tyler and his buddies had
provided support for the Hayden Expedition's successful efforts - efforts
aided by the photography of William Henry Jackson - to place Yellowstone's
glories before the Congress. The point is that Tyler both knew and loved
the area. Additionally, he had the technical expertise and connections
requisite to introducing a true wilderness area to his chosen family.
Throughout the spring of 1874, Tyler regaled the group with stories of the
Tetons, the youngest of the mountains in the Rocky Mountain system that
towered more than a mile above the valley known as Jackson Hole. One buddy
had a near death experience with a giant grizzly bear that he had surprised
in the process of catching salmon. He had himself been stalked by a
mountain lion. He told them about the fish that filled the many glacial
lakes as well as the Snake River whose waters would eventually empty into
the Pacific. As they sat in front of the great fireplace at night,
bright-eyed and open-mouthed, he told them about the other great animals,
including bison and moose, and birds, including the bald eagle, that made
their homes in this area. And he told them of the "high country" where Ice
Age glaciers had carved deep canyons between the peaks, country where the
feet of solitary men had traced faint trails for 10,000 years. "Here is
country," he said, "where a man can clear his head of the woes of
civilization and fill his lungs with the purest air in God's creation.
Here is country that will challenge your manhood!" "Yeah," thought Kelly,
"I could take a little of that!" As his eyes momentarily met his father's,
a slightly lecherous smile quickly passed across the faces of each.
Actually, Ben, no less than the teens, was absolutely mesmerized by his
stories and entered into preparations for the trip with an enthusiasm that
fully equaled that of his sons and Whitey.
In early May, Tyler put the entire company on a rigorous program of
physical preparation. "Other than Ben and myself," he stated, "I know that
you guys are in great shape - and we are going to have horses and pack
animals. Nevertheless, we'll be going into some country that's impassible
for horses. The air gets mighty thin at about 9,000 or 10,000 feet, and if
you're carrying 60 lbs. of gear on your back . . ." Everyone got the
message and worked their rear ends off. Tyler also involved them in
planning long equipment lists. (He could have completed these himself, but
that would have negated one of the important gifts that he wanted to give
them.) Gradually, lists of needed emergency gear, personal gear, camping
gear, food, and the like began to take shape. Ben put together a compact
kit of first aid supplies, including a couple of his "inventions." When
the local produce began to come in, Mrs. O'Malley was involved in drying
vegetables, fruit, and meat purchased from local hunters. It was a busy
time, especially when one considered that all other than their most
personal equipment had to be sent via the Union Pacific a good week before
they planned to arrive in Green River, Wyoming. Ty's friends would make
sure it was taken off the train and transported well into Jackson Hole not
to far from the Snake River. In due course, they would follow on
horseback.
The day of departure finally arrived! On Tuesday, July 28th, the party
boarded the westbound train to detrain in Green River long hours later.
(They would not return until Friday, August 14th, nearly two and one-half
weeks later.) There they were met by friends of Tyler who greeted him with
wild shouts, backslapping, and hugs - and Ben and the boys no less
exuberantly! Sleeping for several hours in a large ramshackle old house
owned by one of his buddies, they mounted horses early the next morning. A
wild ride finally found them in Jackson Hole at a base camp near the Snake
River. (Though they always stayed in the background, two of his buddies
were in the vicinity at all times - managing horses and pack animals,
taking care of equipment, and doing whatever else was needed.) The area
was everything that Tyler had promised - the spine of the Grand Teton range
looming to the west, wildlife of every sort, air that seemed to bring them
alive! The first couple of days were spent rather quietly. Ty filled them
in on how to coexist with the large wildlife, especially bears and mountain
lions. He also made a real point of two rules: They were in bear country
and, hence, would NEVER hike alone. Secondly, they were to leave the
Tetons in the same condition that they found them. That is, beyond some
footprints, there could not be the SLIGHTEST sign of their ever having been
in this pristine wilderness.
On several short hikes along the Snake, they enjoyed beavers, river otters
and trout swimming by moose as they fed on aquatic plants, shrubs, and
trees that lined the river's banks. The trout were feeding on aquatic
insects and small fish; bald eagles, osprey, and otters were feeding on the
trout. Willows thrived among tall cottonwood, spruce, and occasional aspen
trees. Beavers were eating the inner bark of willows, aspens and
cottonwoods and weaving branches into lodges and dams along side channels.
Elk grazed in wet meadows. Their minds returning to a less happy day, they
saw great buffalo grazing in the valley. There was one scare. As they
walked fairly near the water, they suddenly disturbed a large black bear.
The monster, holding a trout in its mouth, rose on its hind legs.
Suddenly, it dropped the fish, gave them a look that was anything but
friendly, and emitted a loud, rasping huff. As they had been instructed,
the boys stopped dead in their tracks, began talking to one another, and
slowly withdrew in the direction from which they had come. The bear
dropped back into the thicket and, fortunately, did not pursue them. Maybe
he abstained from meat on Fridays, fasting on fish and berries! Oh, yeah,
there were stories around the campfire that night - most of which involved
the bear that by now had assumed the size of a Union Pacific locomotive!
Beginning to be more comfortable with the altitude, the company explored
two of the canyons that led up into the high mountains in the days that
followed. The climbs were steep, but the scenery and stops beside glorious
high-country lakes left them with wonderful memories. Besides, once away
from the occasional mosquitoes and other bugs on the valley floor, they
were finally able quickly to shed all clothing other than hiking shoes. On
one of these trips, Tyler had taken Kelly to the other side of he lake to
fish. Left to their own devices, Jon and Whitey had moved in back of a
rocky ledge and begun fooling around...with increasing vigor. Finally, a
shout came from behind the rock wall. "Hey, Dad," Jon yelled
mischievously. "Wanna play?" Pretty horny himself, Ben quickly accepted
the invitation. Rounding the ledge, he came upon two glorious kids lying
on the grass in a wild tangle of arms and legs. What a contrast - the
thickly muscled and tanned body of his elder son, the sleek pale body of
the young trooper. Both, of course, were liberally splashed with cum. Ben
simply dropped down onto the pile and began doing...his duty. When Whitey
smiled encouragingly, he set about licking the cum from his body. It
wasn't long before the beautiful kid was writhing in his hands. What a
body! Though slim, Ben's tongue felt the smooth muscular sheath that lay
immediately below his satin skin; his eyes admired the definition of his
entire body. Remembering the night up at Scott's Bluff when he awoke
entangled with the youngsters, he placed the lad's substantial thighs
lightly around his neck, thus bringing his genitals within reach of probing
lips. Both Ben and Whitey were as hard as the granite that surrounded
them! The wondrous scent just about drove the older man out of his mind -
masculine, full, strangely intoxicating. Even at 18 and having cum not
long before, it wasn't long before Whitey gave up another mammoth load with
a shout that was soon followed by the laughter of pure joy! Oh, God! Jon
had begun sucking on his father's posterior parts! What a rush! He
couldn't believe it when he heard shouts from the two approaching
fisherman. By the time they struggled up the rise from the lake, the three
rascals were sitting calmly, their expressions suggesting there was no way
that butter would melt in their mouths! "Catch anything?" Ben asked
placidly. "Yeah," grunted Kelly, "three beautiful cutthroat trout. We let
them go. Ty said this wasn't a good place to fry fish...too many bears
around." Suddenly, he stopped, sniffed the air carefully, and grinned
lewdly at his saintly father. Strange... For a moment the standing
youngster kinda looked like that bear down by the River!
Back at camp that night, Tyler announced that the time for the piece de
resistance had arrived. As wolves howled in the distance, he announced
that for four days they would backpack along the crest of the Tetons, the
very heart of the backcountry! They'd be hiking at elevations that
approached 10,000 feet for much of the way, but they were ready! Clothing
was optional, but they should keep things handy. It could and would get
cold up there! Furthermore, they could expect thunderstorms in the
afternoon, and he didn't want them to get both cold and wet. Hypothermia
was a killer in such country.
The next morning saw them on horseback, skirting the main mountain peaks to
their south. The high country! Finally, Ty called a halt, grinned, and
said they would walk from there. Keeping one burro with them to carry the
tent needed in bear country, as well as some heavier gear, they moved
through a pleasant spruce forest interspersed with meadows bright with
wildflowers, working towards a lake that Ty said was not far distant. It
was at the end of one of those meadows that tragedy threatened. Contrary
to instructions, Jon had moved out perhaps 40 yards in front of the other
hikers. Suddenly, an immense brown shape rose from a thicket on its hind
legs and faced him, growling and turning its giant head from side to side.
Jon froze and seemed permanently joined to the spot. The grizzly - for
that's what it clearly was - opened a cavernous maw that seemed filled with
fangs and let out a roar that resounded across hill and dale. Its mouth
dripping saliva mixed with white foam, it waved huge front paws that seemed
to have claws longer than its fangs. Dropping to all fours, the huge
animal snarled furiously and charged the terror stricken youngster.
Instantly, regaining his senses, Jon knew that he could not outrun the
beast, for it was moving slightly downhill towards him like a freight
train. Instantly, he dropped to the ground and, as best he could,
protected the back of his head and neck with his arms. The grizzly stopped
just short of running over the still figure. After letting out one more
stentorian roar - evidently to let Jon know who was boss - he began
sniffing and prodding the naked boy with his head and one paw. Jon managed
to remain frozen. In seeming irritation, the griz swiped one clawed paw
across his back. >From 40 yards away, the company could see that Jon's
backpack was literally shredded. The griz resumed sniffing, finally
thrusting its large nose directly into the boy's crack! It then raised its
head into the air and lightly snorted...once, twice, three times. To Jon's
lifelong discomfort, Ben always claimed that, after smelling Heaven, that
damned bear couldn't bring itself to destroy the source! In any case, it
promptly moved off into a stand of whitebark pine on one side of the
meadow, huffing and jaw-popping all the way!
At soon as it had entered the trees, the party rushed towards Jon and
attempted to convince him that the bear had departed. (It took some
convincing.) Despite having sustained no physical injuries, the boy was
not in the best shape. Not surprisingly, he was in light shock and had
peed himself. As he recovered, he tearfully admitted that he had lost
control when the griz stuffed its nose into his anus. "That wasn't the
worst thing!" he complained. "That bear's breath smelled worse than
pussy!" Despite the near-tragedy, the entire group broke into hysterical
laughter, helped the shaky lad to surmount the last rise, and set up camp
by the lake. Freezing water or no freezing water, Jon quickly submerged
himself and rose shivering to dry off and don clothing.
>From the lake it was a steep climb up to a discernible trail in country
that fast became increasingly alpine in character. Ty led them north for
miles, over divides and through basins, through incredible alpine scenery
with views on every side. Ben's boys - all four of them - were in
spectacular shape, their heavy, sharply defined muscles pumping, their
thick chests rising and falling as they processed the oxygen in the thin
air. (Ben, a connoisseur of the derriere, thought the views from behind
were also...unforgettable!) Though they took time to stop occasionally and
catch their breath, they moved along smartly, camping only when hiking
conditions were on the verge of becoming dangerous. Ty knew the area well,
but he also knew that it would profit nothing for one of them to fall and
sustain a serious injury. They were not as agile as the bighorn sheep they
occasionally saw making their way across the rocks. Before attempting the
climb to a major pass, for instance, they stopped for the night by a
pleasant lake. While stunted and twisted, there were trees that broke a
cold wind. Slipping into warm clothing, the company prepared a substantial
supper. "I want to get a slightly later start in the morning," Ty said
over coffee. "Though the view from the top is great, we face one hellava
climb. I'd like the sun to burn off any mist before we tackle it. For
those of you who are interested, however, there's a little trail less than
a quarter of a mile north that takes you down to one of the prettiest
little lakes in the Tetons. It lies immediately below that mountain you
can see over there." (He pointed to a peak whose upper reaches glistened in
the setting sun.). "In the past, I've seen a lot of interesting animals
down that way - and it's a short, easy trip."
The sun dawned warm in the morning. Ben, Jon, and Whitey decided to take
Ty's suggestion, leaving all but emergency equipment at the camp. Ty had
felt the cold all yesterday and wanted to stretch out on a warmed rock and
soak up some sun. Besides, he knew what was coming. Kelly's problem was a
little different. He wasn't being a baby about it, but he realized that
Ben and Ty had been making out. Jon and Whitey? Wow...rabbits! He had
finally gotten about as much satisfaction out of his five digits as they
were going to give him. To put the problem succinctly, he was as horny as
all hell! Thus, when he saw a naked Ty stretched out in the sun on a large
flat rock, he took a long serious look. Without realizing that much of
what he saw was as true of him as it was of Tyler, he saw a young man at
the absolute peak of his physical perfection. Every part of his body
belonged in a museum of the human form. To tell the truth, he was also
intrigued by the strawberry-blond hair that covered a good part of the 26
year-old's body. Almost all of the guys he knew were smooth. His only
contact with it back at the house on New Years Eve had been
pretty...exciting. He felt increasingly breathless, his mouth was dry, and
parts of his body gave warning that they were about to have their say.
"Hey, Ty!" he yelled suddenly. "If you lie on the rock the way you are,
you could get burned to a crisp at this altitude. Dad sent one of his
inventions along with me, a new solution that allows you to tan without
burning. If I rub some on you, will you do the same for me?" While he'd
kept himself under control, the truth was that Tyler was quite taken with
Ben's younger son. Not only was he a great kid, but he was also had one of
the most exciting physiques that he had ever seen on a human being of any
age! He was horny, too, and knew they had an hour before the others would
return. "Sure, Kelly, bring it over!"
Strange stuff... Somewhat oily, it wasn't an oil. As he rubbed a drop
between his fingers, it seemed extra slippery and bonded somewhat to his
fingers. Further, it was light in body and went a great deal further than
oil would ever have gone. Well, he'd promised his father a report.
Slowly, sensually, Kelly rubbed drops from the thick glass bottle into
Tyler's hide - his neck, back, buttocks, his crack (done with especial
concern), legs, and feet. "Turn over," Kelly commanded. Knowing that he
was as hard as a rock, Ty managed to gasp, "You won't mind?" He hesitated
though somehow he didn't expect the young man to say that he would. "Nah,"
Kelly responded. "Nobody's here but us chickens." Jokingly, he added,
"Show me what you've got." Tyler had a good deal to show, primarily the
enormous pole that stuck straight up from his thick red bush. Again, Kelly
did his duty, though he became increasingly short of breath. "Must be the
altitude," he thought. The hair was all he thought it was on New Years
Eve. He longed to pull on it, even use it as a handle. He yearned to work
his nose into it. He wanted to feel it against his face...and other parts.
God, Tyler was GORGEOUS!
Slowly, almost reluctantly, the reddish blond stood up and stretched as the
sunlight turned his shining body into liquid fire! Grinning, he looked
down at Kelly, knelt, and kissed him deeply. Kell responded until he
thought his tonsils might be scraped from the back of his throat. Without
attempting to be gentle, Ty's muscular hands powerfully rubbed the solution
into Kelly's body. It seemed to the gasping boy that every muscle on his
body was seized, lifted, lubricated, and somehow put back in place. In
fact, he rather suspected that Ty had removed several organs from his
abdominal cavity and subjected them to the same process. Yet there was no
pain. Oh, how far distant his sensations were from pain! Tyler extracted
his heavy genitals from between his legs and lifted them as if to remove
them for a separate treatment. He was on the verge of feeling pain when he
realized that the hairy one was rubbing them together in the palms of both
his hands, working the lotion into his scrotum, balls, and penis as if they
were one. He almost fainted as he was turned over and the reverse of his
body was treated exactly as the front had been. Finally, a hand reached up
under his body and pulled his genitals down and back. As it cupped his
heavy equipment, a tongue played with the head and urethral slit of his
penis, as well as with his shiny red balls. Almost immediately - as if he
were a newbie, a fuckin' 13 year-old - he gave up an enormous load of thick
cream.
Although it's difficult to explicate them at times, there are advantages to
being 15. Within minutes, Kelly squirmed out from under Ty's body, climbed
onto his back, and forced him to the ground. On the theory that turnabout
is fair play, he fully intended to poke into Tyler in a way that he would
remember! Lunging forward, however, he missed his mark and suddenly found
his hard cock tickling the back of Ty's neck. Under experimental test, a
new feature of Ben's solution had made itself known. Yes, the solution
dried, but when dry it was as slippery as...slippery can be. Giggling,
Kell tried to pin Ty down from several angles. In each case, he wildly
slid off. When Tyler got the idea, he joined what turned out to be a
wrestling match, trying his best to pin Kell. Same result... Suddenly,
the two young men found themselves skidding all over the flat
rock...laughing like hyenas!
Naturally, the ever-brilliant Kelly finally solved the puzzle. He finally
went over to his handsome friend who was at this point reclining on his
back at the end of a great oil-like skid mark and slowly, firmly sat down
on him. Everything worked as it should have and, ere long, Tyler gave a
wild shriek and ceased his writhing. As he came to, Kelly's head lay
supinely on his chest, the boy's brown eyes looking deep into his own.
"That was fun, Ty, but I think we'd better get this stuff off before Dad
and the guys return." Strange kid... God, the water in that alpine lake
was cold!
Within a short time, Ben, Jon, and Whitey returned from their side trip.
"It was all you said it would be, Tyler. Thank you," Ben said with a deep
smile. "Yeah!" Jon exclaimed. "You should have seen the cat we saw. I've
NEVER seen anything like that!" Under Tyler questioning, it seemed that
the main features were feet that were absolutely enormous - bigger than all
other than the largest dogs, an extremely shaggy coat, and great tufts of
fur that stood up from the very top of his ears. "Only about two and a
half feet long," Jon added. "Lynx!" Tyler pronounced. "You're lucky to
have seen one. I never have." "Oh, yeah, Whitey said, "and we had to get
off the trail the way you told us and let a moose go by. You know," he
added with a snicker, "I don't think moose stop for pedestrians!"
After a quick cup of coffee, the group was again on the trail. It was a
major climb - and the last leg was through howling winds. Crouching at the
top of the pass, they breathlessly enjoyed the spectacular view -
mountains, mountains, mountains everywhere! They seemed to be on top of
the world! Unfortunately, the gale was too much, and they soon began the
descent. At first, it was viciously steep, but Tyler soon guided them to
easier sections on a faint trail they could barely see. Eventually, they
reached a creek flowing through land that was initially forested. Soon,
however, they found their up-and-down trail led them into sub-alpine
meadows that were alive with wildflowers. A lovely, peaceful lake was
their reward for a hard descent. After enjoying a break - and pausing for
a severe electrical storm - they made their way up to a high mountain
divide. It wasn't quite as severe a climb as the pass they had traversed
earlier, but it was surely working on it! Again, the views of glacial
remnants, lakes, and the Grand Tetons to the southeast were glorious.
Sleeping and eating only when their bodies - and/or their guide - forced
them to drag themselves away from the glories of the hike, the company
dropped down into a deep canyon over a north-facing slope of loose, broken
rock. There were only traces of snow now, but when they paused to catch
their breath, Tyler told them of some of the conditions he had experienced
on earlier trips. This talus slope, he told them, was often impassable
throughout much of the year. Snow... Slowly, now bone-tired, they worked
their way down from the high country into the mature forests of the lower
elevations. Finally, they saw Ty's friends - and, God be praised, horses -
ahead of them on a valley trail! While on the trail, they had passed one
mountain man and had seen two Indians camped below them at a small lake.
In fact, other than Ty's friends, they had only seen three or four men in
all of Jackson Hole!
The time to return home was soon upon them - and that is always a sad
moment at the end of a grand adventure. Nevertheless, they left with
visual memories for a lifetime, with knowledge and an appreciation of
nature that would never leave them, with new friends, and with Tyler
perceived as one of them...in every regard. They also left with bodies
that, though weary, were even more stunningly beautiful than those that had
ridden into the northwestern quadrant of the Wyoming Territory.
(Shiloh's New Hospital)
Within a week of his return to Shiloh, Ben was thrust into one of the
happiest days of his life. The contractor who had been recommended by his
lawyer in Omaha had performed his duties with impeccable skill and
dispatch. The new hospital, funded by money from his parents' estate, was
completed, partially equipped and staffed, and ready to be dedicated. In
truth, it was a major event in the life of the town - another sign of the
"civilizing" of the entire area.
Though the Governor would attend, the people of the region already saw it
as their own. For all intents and purposes, the dedication became a great
town party. Tables were set up on the spacious grounds - and laden with
food and drink donated by the citizens. In front of the hospital, a large
stage had been erected and decorated with red, white, and blue bunting.
Throughout the early afternoon, as a large crowd gathered and partook of
the refreshments, bands played and choirs sang. It was during a pause in
this activity that Harry Parsons - who would preside over the formal
dedication - finally cornered Ben and shared some news that was scarcely
unwelcome. That very morning, the Reverend and Mrs. Eziekiel Long and the
former schoolmarm, Matilda Sommers, had left Shiloh Station on a westbound
train. With obvious satisfaction, Harry mentioned that the Community
Church and the School Board already had searches underway. There was even
talk of building a combination elementary-high school building, only the
second in the county. Furthermore, as if this weren't good news enough,
both the Lutherans and the Roman Catholics had announced plans to build
churches in Shiloh! "Well, Harry," Ben grinned, "we could have done worse.
Sooner or later, even the Anglicans will reach these high plains!"
Promptly at 3:00 pm, the Mayor of Shiloh mounted the platform along with
the Governor and his party, and Doctor Benjamin Cabot. The large crowd
fell silent. Harry traced the history of medical services in the
far-western part of the state and in Shiloh. He reverently mentioned the
many emigrants, homesteaders, and Pony Soldiers who had passed this
way...and died due to the lack of advanced medical care. He praised the
devoted service of one medical doctor who had seen promise in their land
and its people and, in the process of ministering to their needs, had
become a true citizen of Nebraska. With that, he introduced the good
doctor, formerly of Boston.
Ben quietly moved to the podium to thunderous applause and cheers. For a
moment, his mind wandered. "I have delivered so many of the young faces
that I see lifted before me," he thought. "I've fallen in love with you
and your town. You've given me the life meaning that lends spice to all we
do and for which we hope and work." Tyler, Jon, and Kelly whose bright,
shining faces gazed up at him with pride and love forgave him the tears
that slowly coursed down his cheeks - as did his many friends in the
audience. Ben's comments were short and to the point. Essentially, he
thanked the people for giving him and his family a new life. He mentioned
that the money needed to complete the staffing and equipping of the
hospital was already available. Furthermore, and he paused, the hospital
would be owned in perpetuity by the "people of Shiloh" and directed by a
Board of Overseers to include both medical professionals and citizens. As
the Dedication speakers seated on the stage rose to their feet in respect
and tribute, the people of Shiloh burst into a mighty roar of thanks - and
love. In the background, the Post band spontaneously broke into "O
Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean," the choir quickly joining in, "O Columbia
the gem of the ocean, The home of the brave and the free, The shrine of
each patriot's devotion, A world offers homage to thee. . . ."
Governors do not especially like to follow such...demonstrations, but
Nebraska's governor was fully up to the task. Speaking with great dignity
and warmth, he formally dedicated the new hospital. Grandly gesturing
towards the large redbrick Victorian edifice that stood impressively behind
him, he referred to it as "the finest hospital between Chicago and San
Francisco." On a personal note, he added his thanks to Dr. Cabot,
Mr. Parsons, and the people of Shiloh. He also mentioned that he hoped
everyone present would join him, his lovely wife, and his official party in
attending the gala opening of Shiloh's new Opera House that evening. "I am
told," he ended on a crowd-pleasing note, "that tonight's inaugural
performance will be free to all."
(The Show Must Go On)
The newly constructed "Opera House" was far from the Paris Opera. Yet, for
a frontier town the size of Shiloh, it was quite impressive. It's exterior
was all white - the front fashioned from expensive white bricks imported
from the East Coast. Four massive pillars fashioned from young California
redwoods, with Doric capitals and bases, were painted white to match the
brickwork behind. Three sets of huge French doors, set with many panes of
glass from top to bottom, were evenly spaced between the columns. The
parapet on top gradually rose from the sides to an impressively high center
section upon which was placed a white limestone frieze. The frieze
represented the ancient Greek symbols for the theater: Comedy and Tragedy.
As one entered the immense French doors, there was a very impressive lobby
that could easily accommodate over one hundred people. The large French
doors could be opened and perhaps another hundred could stand on the wide
covered portico between the several steps up from the street and the
building itself. Not only was this a theater, but a proud symbol of the
growth of Shiloh. No longer would public functions be subject to the
vagaries of Nebraska weather.
As much as the outside represented an almost austere good taste, the same
could not be said of the interior. The red-carpeted lobby, with its
immense crystal chandelier, led into the theater itself. Amazingly, it had
been designed so that only four massive columns held up both roof and
balcony. The seats were covered in red velvet, the walls in a gold and
red-flocked material. Another immense chandelier dominated the ceiling of
the great room. Interspersed along the walls were crystal lamps of the
same design. (To be perfectly honest, the effect was somewhat reminiscent
of an immense bordello!)
The stage was covered by an equally impressive red velvet curtain. The
latest technology was employed. Not only could the curtain be opened and
closed, but the center section alone could be raised. In this case, a
smaller viewing area was displayed when a single artist was to perform.
Clearly, Shiloh was ready for the big time!
Meanwhile, Harry Parsons and Ezra Matthews had been at work behind the
scenes for months. Writing to known talents of the day in Chicago and
Omaha, and all the colleges and universities within several days travel by
train, they had been searching for talent for the opening night of the
"Opera House" in Shiloh. They particularly emphasized the fact that the
Governor would be in attendance. They would not only pay all travel and
lodging expenses, but also a small performance fee. When several artists
had demanded greater monetary rewards, their response was simply, "When was
the last time that you performed for the Governor and his coterie?" After
all was said and done, there were few rejections.
On opening night, all who had attended the new hospital's dedication were
present, plus a few more. Due to the fact that this was the Grand Opening,
no admission fee was charged, although several collection boxes were placed
at the entrances to the theater. All were asked to give what they could to
defray the expenses of both the new building and the performance they were
about to enjoy. To the amazement of all, a sum of over one thousand
dollars was collected. Some gave pennies, some twenty dollar gold pieces.
It mattered not. With the exception of the dignitaries present, all were
treated the same. To be sure, the Governor and his entourage, Ben and his
family (including Tyler), and the Culpeppers, the Parsons, and Ezra
Matthews and his guest were seated in the front rows.
Perhaps foreshadowing things to come, one did best to call the performance
a "Vaudeville Show." The acts were varied, ranging from small orchestral
pieces presented by several university ensembles to beautiful solos by some
of the most respected divas and tenors of the day from Chicago and Omaha.
Perhaps one of the greatest hits was a near unbelievable acrobatic display
by some Chinese who were working nearby on a new spur of the railroad. It
had been arranged with the cooperation of the Chinese families who ran the
laundry, now housed in a new building on a street that intersected Main
Street.
The enthusiasm of the audience seemed to push the performers to do their
absolute best. >From the tuxedos and finely beaded gowns and plumed
chapeaux of the well-to-do to the modest "go to meetin'" clothes of the
poorest immigrant dirt farmer, the feeling was the same. Besides the Opera
House, they had a fine hospital, an impressive bank, and several other new
structures, public and private. This was the frontier no more!
(To Be Continued)